Question 12

Are there any problems in treating RTI that are specific to Asia?

Although not specific to Asia, the incidence of tuberculosis is certainly a concern there. If treating a patient with an RTI, the physician needs to remember the possibility of unrecognized coexisting tuberculosis. In such patients, antibacterial treatment of the ABECOPD may result in incomplete tuberculosis treatment, leading to initial improvement, then relapse and ultimately the development of resistant pathogens. I believe the best approach to overcome this is to either test for tuberculosis in patients at risk when they present or at follow-up if they have improved then relapsed.